Leeds United v Ipswich: Town loanee Tyrone Barnett has returned to parent club Peterborough United after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in Monday’s 2-1 reserve team defeat to a Nike Academy side.

The 27-year-old striker was due to be with the Blues until January 19, but now faces at least three months on the sidelines after sustaining a posterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

Having started games in wins against Nottingham Forest and Bolton, Barnett was replaced in Town’s starting line-up by Daryl Murphy for last weekend’s 3-0 home win. Unwanted by Posh following a ‘breach of club discipline, the powerful forward had been hopeful of signing for the Blues on a permanent basis in the New Year.

It means that Southend loanee Bilel Mohsni – left out of the squad as the sixth domestic loanee in recent weeks – could come back onto the bench for Saturday’s trip to Leeds.

Meanwhile, Blues boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has recovered from the hamstring injury which has kept him out for the last three games. Fellow central midfielder Luke Hyam has also returned to training this week following his own hamstring injury, but is a doubt for the weekend due to illness.

On loan Blackburn right-back Bradley Orr has been suffering with a trapped nerve in his neck, but should be fine for the game at Elland Road.

Young right-back Elliott Hewitt – who made his debut as a late sub last weekend – and striker DJ Campbell have both reported tight hamstrings this week, but also should also be fine.

– For all the latest Blues news, see tomorrow’s EADT and Ipswich Star.

Disappointing news too about Reo-Coker. Not too bothered about Barnett, never looked like scoring although at least he made Murphy start trying again. Now he's gone, will Murphy still be bothered to run?

This is disappointing news. He showed real promise but this is the nature of the game. Hope he makes a full recovery though and that Town consider looking at him again when he is fully match fit. Unfortunately this type of injury takes a long time to heal and sadly sometimes a player never truly recovers from it. Fingers crossed though for him, his family and his future.

Ex-Ipswich Town homegrown star Titus Bramble is back at the club as a youth team coach. STUART WATSON spoke to him about an emotional trip to Ghana and how he wants the Blues’ current teenagers not to repeat his mistakes.